Scoring device for the game of bridge



Nov. 24, 1942. M. A. ZULFICAR SCORING DEVICE FOR THE GAME OF BRIDGE Filed May 13, 1940 3 She ets-She et 1 Nov. 24, 1942. zu cg 2,302,989

SCORING DEVICE FOR THE GAME OF BRIDGE Filed May 15, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 2 //Vl//VT02, m, A. z 04, F/ 6192,

Nov. 24, 1942.

M. A. ZULFICAR SCORING DEVICE FOR Tl-IE GAME OF BRIDGE I5 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 13, 1940 ZZ'IG.5

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nw a 5 .19 211 41 Patented Nov. 24, 1942 OFFICE SCORING DEVICE FOR THE GAME OF BRIDGE Mohamed Aref Zulficar, London, England Application May 13, 1940, Serial No. 334,935 In Great Britain August 16, 1939 6 Claims.

This invention is concerned with an improved scoring device for the game of bridge, and is more particularly, although not exclusively, designed for use in computing the scores at contract bridge.

The object of the invention is to provide such scoring means which are compact, uniform, simple to make, easy to operate in identical manner throughout, and which will simplify the computation and registering of the individual as well as the gross scores and the difference total as between We and They, whilst at the same time maintainin until the finish of a rubber an indication of the honours and trick points pertaining to each game as Well as the scores in games.

For the sake of clearness, the term register is used throughout the following description to define solely the devices on which individual scores are set up, whilst the term totalisator is employed to define solely the device which totals the score values of the different registers.

According to the invention, there is provided a scoring device for the game of bridge, comprising in combination a plurality of independent registers adapted to be used in progression in playing different games'constituting a rubber or set, a totalisaltor for registering the total points applied to two or more of the said registers, identical setting means individual to said registers and means operating independently of th registers but adapted to co-act with each setting means thereof for simultaneously applying to the totalisatcr the scores set up on the registers whereby the totalisator shows the aggregate of the registers, the arrangement being such that any register of the totalisator can be individually manipulated otherwise than by the aforesaid setting means of the registers without affecting any other of the devices, thereby permitting, for example, the score value of a previously played game to remain registered during the playing of a subsequent game and the score values pertaining to all individual games to remain registered during independent manipulation of the totalisator, and,. further, allowing the total score value to remain registered in the toltalisator when the registers are re-set.

In a preferred manner of carrying out the invention, indicator wheels of the same denomination in the different registers and totalisator are carried upon a common shaft, those wheels belonging to the registers, e. g., honours and tricks points registers being loose on the said shafts, whilst the indicator wheels of the totalisator are fixed to said shafts, setting of the register wheels being effected by manually operable pawls each of which co-operates with a ratchet wheel secured to the appropriate indicator wheel and also with a second ratchet wheel secured to the carrier shaft whereby a score entered in any of the registers is simultaneously transmitted to the totalisator.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, reference will now be made to the acccmpanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, one embodiment as particularly designed for scoring at contract bridge. In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the outer casing of the device.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the honours and trick points register zeroising plate and also of the plate which frictionally retains the setting of the totalisator.

Figure 3 is a perspective View of the base frame which supports the various elements which comprise the totalisating mechanism of the device.

Figure 4' is a plan of the totalisating mechanism.

Figure 5 is a cross-section on the line V--V of Figure 4 and shows in particular the means employed for transferring a digit from a lower denominational to the next higher wheel, or vice versa, when the former wheel changes from 9 to 0 or 0 to 9 in addition or subtraction as the case may be.

Figure 6 is a cross-section 0n the line VI-VI of Figure 4 and shows in particular the means employed for manually setting the register wheels. ii

Figure '7 is an elevation of a wheel associated with each denomination of each register and for zeroising the associated indicator wheel when the zeroising plate-is actuated, such wheel being referred to herein as the zeroising wheel.

Figure 8 is an elevation of the ratchet wheel side of an indicator wheel; and,

Figures 9 and 10 are elevations of different positions of what is referred to herein as a primary transfer wheel.

The apparatus, in this case, is meant for the registration, totalisation or subtraction of numbers always ending in zero or, in other words, the digit 0, and ranging from 10 minimum to 9990 maximum normally, although this maximum range could be increased, if necessary, to double its value, namely 19,93il, if the difference itself between the two gross totals is worked out, whenever necessary up to 9990 maximum. The apparatus combines into a single assembly, two similar units (designated We and They respectively), and it consists, for each digit of a number, of a similar group of indicator wheels corresponding either to the tens and hundreds as in the sub-division tricks, or to the tens, hundreds and thousands as in the sub-divisions honours and the total points. The sub-division total points implies totalisator reading. The groups, corresponding to the same digits of each denomination (tens, for instance) are mounted on a common axis and are parallel to the corresponding groups constituting the following denomination (hundreds, for instance). The honours register consists of three indicator wheels, l, 2 and 3, arranged side-by-side and corresponding in denominations to tens, hundreds and thousands respectively. Th trick points register consists of three sets of three indicator wheels, 4, 5 and 6, arranged side-by-side and in denomination designated by tens and hundreds respectively, and the wheels 6, which are intended to register the game score or position being inscribed with the characters, such as G (game) V (vulnerable) X (null) according to the proceeding and rules of the play, although the totalising principle and methd of transfer remain the same as for the other Wheels.

The last device, namely the totalisator, which registers the gross total of honours and trick points-designated Total points in Figure 1 is composed of three indicator wheels I, 8 and 9, arranged side-by-side and of denomination similar to the honours register.

The tens denominational indicator wheels I, 4 and 1' are carried on a shaft ii], the hundreds units 2, 5 and 8, on a shaft H and the thousands units 3, 8 and 9 (in the case of the trick points register these are the character inscribed wheels 6), on a shaft l2, these three shafts of each scoring unit We and They being mounted sideby-side in parallel disposition and supported by hearing holes l3 formed in upstanding flanges ll of a base plate I5.

Each indicator wheel unit consists of a numerically or character-inscribed wheel, as shown, provided on a one side face with a ratchet wheel 16 with which a manually operable pawl l1 cooperates. This pawl is a springy member which is carried by a plate IS, in turn supported by a pair of rods l9, the pawl having projecting upwardly therefrom a button 20 so that it can be depressed to engage and turn the ratchet one tooth, as will be readily understood from Figure 6. There is a pawl ll for each indicator wheel so that each wheel can be set manually independently of any corresponding wheel in another register. In order that the setting of the honours and trick points registers may be transmitted to the totalisator, each of the wheels of the registers is loose on the appropriate shaft (It, I! or 12) and (with the exception of the character-inscribed units 6 of the trick points register) is associated with a second ratchet wheel 21 which is secured to the appropriate shaft by a key 22 and which is disposed alongside the ratchet wheel is so as to be actuated by the associated pawl H, the units 6 being associated with independent ratchet wheels l6 loose on the appropriate shaft I2.

The honours and trick points indicator wheels are in contact with a plate 23 which is slidably mounted on the base plate l5 and has a displacement which is approximately equal to three and one-half times the distance between the numbers inscribed on the indicator wheels, this plate being referred to herein as the zeroising plate. The indicator wheels can be turned against the friction afforded by this plate and accordingly will be retained in their set positions until the plate is actuated, as will be hereinafter described. The setting of the totalisator is retained by reason of the fact that the indicator wheels hereof also contact with a plate 24 which is fixedly held on the base plate 15, it being understood that the plates 23 and 24 will have suitable friction surfaces which may be made of rubber, for example.

Transfer between two adjacent indicator wheels either in addition or subtraction is provided for by the means particularly shown in Figures 5, 9 and 10. Each unit requiring the transfer facility is provided with a primary transfer wheel having on its side a tooth 2S and in its periphery a recess 21. This wheel is fixed to rotate with the appropriate indicator wheel and it co-operates with a secondary transfer wheel 28 in the form of a star having three long teeth 29 adapted for engagement b the primary tooth 2G and three shorter teeth 30 which can engage in the recess 2?. Normally the periphery of the primary transfer wheel 25 contacts with the arouate portion between two short teeth 30 so as to hold the secondary transfer wheel in position. The long teeth of each secondary transfer wheel also co-operate with a toothed wheel 3| secured to rotate with the indicator wheel of next higher denomination and the transfer operation for addition is as follows: As the lower denominational indicator wheel unit turns from 9 to 0, the primary transfer tooth 26 thereof engages one of the longer teeth 29 of the adjacent secondary transfer wheel 28, and, as this latter turns, one of its shorter teeth 30 engages in the recess 21 of the primary wheel, whereupon the secondary transfer wheel continues to turn until the desired transfer unit is registered and at the same time another of the longer teeth 29 of the secondary transfer wheel meshes with the adjacent toothed wheel SI of the next higher denomination, whereby the indicator wheel of the latter also is turned to register the transfer unit. At the conclusion of each transfer operation, the secondary wheel will have its teeth positioned as shown. Figure 9 shows the normal position of the primary transfer wheel 25 either at 0 or after transfer from 9 to 9, and Figure 10 the position before transfer in the indicator wheels corresponding to the tens, the normal position either at 0 or after transfer from 9 to 0 in the indicator wheels corresponding to the hundreds being shown in Figure 5.

The various secondary transfer wheels 28 are rotatably supported on the rods [9 which carry the setting pawl assemblies l1, l8 and 2D.

In operation of the device, the scores, either for honours or trick points, are registered in the appropriate registers by degression of the appropriate buttons 20, and at the same time such scores are registered by the totalisator. It will be understood that the scores will be entered under the We or They section of the device according to which side acquires them. For each game, trick points are scored in one of the sets of registers provided, the unit 6 in the register in which the score has been entered will be turned from the neutral position corresponding to 0 to the G position corresponding to 1 as the hundreds indicator wheel changes from 0" to l or more instead of from 9 to upon the attainment of a hundred points which is a game score in contract bridge. Figure shows, by way of example, the position of the primary wheel after transfer from G to 1 in the indicator wheeis corresponding to the hundreds, the normal position being at 0. The next game is scored in one of the two next lower sets of the trick points registers, whilst the units 6 of any section may be turned by means of the associated button either to the V or to the X position which indicates that the side is either vulnerable or has lost its scoring points according to rules, these three sets thus forming a maximum combination for the clear realization of two games. at e conclusion of the rubber, the We or They totalisators will be registering the respective total scores, and to ascertain the difference for obtaining the winning aggregate points, the lower total is entered either in the totalisator registering the higher total or in both totalisators by depressing the appropriate buttons 26. In this connection it will be observed that the pawls I! of the totalisators operate in the reverse direction to those of the honours and trick points reg isters, so that the elTect of depressing their associated buttons 26 is to rotate the totalisator in a direction opposite to the adding direction. Such rotation will not be transmitted to the honours and trick points registers since their units are loose on the shafts H), H and I2.

It may be noted here that the totalizing mechanism is enclosed by a box-like cover plate 32 (Figure 1), having windows 33 through which the inscribed indicator wheels can be seen, and slots 34 through which project the operating buttons 20.

Re-setting of the totalisators is effected merely by entering therein the score registered thereon, the entry being effected by depressing the appropriate push buttons 2E9. Re-setting of the honours and trick points registers in both We and They sections is effected by reciprocating the slide plate 23 from its normal left hand position to the right and then back, the maximum number of reciprocations in the present instance being three. For this purpose each of the honours and trick points indicator wheels is provided with a zeroising wheel 3'5 which is fixed to rotate with the appropriate indicator wheel and which has cut in its side three recesses, the first recess 36 standing at the 0 position of the wheel, the second recess 37 standing at the 4 position and the third recess 33 standing at the 7 position so that the angle subtended between recess and 31 is greater than that between ill and 33 or between 38 and (see Figure 7). The recessed side of each zeroising wheel engaged by a springy latch Bil which, as will be readily apparent from Figure 4, allows rotation of the zeroising wheel and thereby of the associated indicator wheel in the adding direction but prevents, when it is engaged in a recess, rotation of the indicator wheel in the opposite direction. It will be noted that the peripheral distance between recess 3% and recess 3'! is greater than the maximum displacement allowed on the zeroising plate 23; accordingly it follows that all indicator wheels can be returned to zero in a minimum number of three reciprocations of the slide plate 23. Each time the slide plate is pulled to the right the indicator wheels will be rotated in the adding direction and during the movement of the plate to the left will be rotated back in the opposite direction the same amount unless during the latter motion a recess of their zeroising wheels has engaged the associated latch 39. If this is the zero recess 35 the register will always come back to zero at the end of reciprocation of the zeroising slide, but if one of the other recesses 31 and the next reciprocation of the slide will cause the zeroising wheel to be moved until the following recess engages the latch. Thus the zeroising wheel will be moved from recess to recess until it reaches zero position. This construction makes for compactness in the apparatus.

The zeroising slide is operated by a handle (iii, and, if desired, it may be operated against the action of a suitable spring. In addition, the return of the buttons 2!] may be facilitated by the provision of auxiliary springs.

Partitions ii may be disposed between the ratchet wheels I5 and 2|, the upper edge portions of which are adapted to limit the downward movement of the pawls I1.

As will be readily understood, the scoring device for contract bridge, as above described, has the following advantages and characteristics:

1. It has the shape and volume of an ordinary small block-note.

2. It avoids the use of paper and pencil or pointer.

3. It is decorative in itself and interesting to use.

It separately totals the honours won by each group of players.

5. It separately totals the tricks of each game either for We or They.

6. then tricks in each game to be won reach or exceed 100, it automatically indicates a game.

i. It indicates if partners are vulnerable or not.

8. it indicates if tricks not reaching or exceeding are annulled when opposing partners make a game.

9. It simultaneously counts and totals all points, either honours or tricks as play is proceeding.

10. When rubber (two games) isfinished, it enables the difference between the two gross totais to be obtained and thus shows the winning points either for We or They.

11. It enables the play of many rubbers to be registered independently and totals all points effectively, from start to finish. It can thus count the difference between the two gross collective totals and show the collective winning points either at the end-of the play or after each rubber, or whenever desired.

12. It gives an exactv and clear account of the play at any moment of its proceeding.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a plurality of parallel rotatable shafts, register wheels loose on said shafts and arranged in rows transversely with respect to said shafts for respectively registering different denominational digits of numbers, overcomable holding means cooperating with said register wheels to resist rotation thereof to an extent to prevent inadvertent rotation thereof, means individual to each of said register wheels operative to overcome the resistance to rotation imposed thereon by said holding means and to rotate the same step by step, means whereby a complete rotation of any lower denominational register wheel imparts a single step of rotation to the next higher denominational register wheel in any given row,

means whereby said register wheel rotating means when operated to rotate any given register wheel imparts corresponding rotation to the related shaft, and other registering wheels fixed on said shafts for registering the total of the numbers registered by said register wheels that are loose on said shafts.

2. A device of the character described comprising a plurality of parallel rotatable shafts, register wheels loose on said shafts and arranged in rows transversely with respect to said shafts for respectively registering different denominational digits of numbers, overcomable holding means cooperating with said register wheels to resist rotation thereof to an extent to prevent inadvertent rotation thereof, a ratchet wheel fixed with respect to each register wheel, a pawl individual to each ratchet wheel for cooperation therewith to overcome the resistance to rotation imposed on the related register wheel and to d rotate the related register wheel step by step independently of all of the other of said register wheels, means whereby a complete rotation of each lower denominational register wheel imparts a sin le step of rotation to the next higher denominational register wheel in any given row, a second ratchet wheel related to each first mentioned ratchet wheel for actuation simultaneously with its related first mentioned ratchet wheel by the related pawl, said second mentioned ratchet wheels being fixed on said shafts whereby rotation of any register wheel by its related pawl results in corresponding rotation of the related shaft, and other registering wheels fixed to said shafts for registering the total of numbers that are registered by the register wheels that are loose on said shafts.

3. A device of the character described comprising a plurality of parallel rotatable shafts, register wheel-s loose on said shafts and arranged in rows transversely with respect to said shafts for respectively registering different denominational digits of numbers, overcomable holding means cooperating with said register wheels to resist rotation thereof to an extent to prevent inadvertent rotation thereof, means individual to each of said register wheels operative to overcome the resistance to rotation imposed thereon by said holding means and to rotate the same step by step, means whereby a complete rotation of any lower denominational register wheel imparts a single step of rotation to the next higher denominational register wheel in any given row, means whereby said register wheel rotating means when operated to rotate any given register wheel imparts corresponding rotation to the related shaft, other registering wheels fixed on said shafts for registering the total of the numbers registered by said register wheels that are loose on said shafts, and means for effecting step by step rotation of the register wheels that are fixed on said shafts in directions counter to the directions in which they are rotated in response to rotation of said shafts by the register wheels that are loose thereon.

i. A device of the character described comprising a pluralityof parallel rotatable shafts, register wheels loose on said shafts and arranged in rows transversely with respect to said shafts for respectively registering different denominational digits of numbers, overcomable holding means cooperating with said register wheels to resist rotation thereof to an extent to prevent inadvertent rotation thereof, means inividual to each of said register wheels operative to overcome the resistance to rotation imposed thereon by said holding means and to rotate the same step by step, means whereby a complete rotation of any lower denominational register wheel imparts a single step of rotation to the next higher denominational register wheel in any given row, means whereby said register wheel rotating means when operated to rotate any given register wheel imparts corresponding rotation to t e related shaft, means permitting rotation of said register wheels by their rotating means and acting to hold them stationary when said shafts are rotated, other registering wheels fixed on said shafts for registering the total of the numbers registered by said register wheels that are loose on said shafts, a ratchet wheel fixed with respect to each of the register wheels that is fixed to its related shaft, and pawls for cooperation with said ratchet wheels to rotate the related register wheels step by step in directions counter to the directions in which they are rotated in response to rotation of said shafts by the register wheels that are loose thereon.

5. A device as set forth in claim 3 in which the means whereby a complete rotation of any lower denominational register wheel imparts a single step of rotation to the next higher denominational register wheel in any given row is constructed and arranged to permit any register wheel that is fixed on its related shaft to be rotated in either direction without effecting rotation of the next lower denominational registering wheel that is fixed on its related shaft.

6. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the means permitting rotation of the register wheels by their rotating means and acting to hold them against rotation when their shafts are rotated comprises a planar friction member engaging the peripheries of said register wheels.

MOHAMED AREF ZULFICAR. 

